Transportation

In Chile following the massive 8.8-magnitude eatrthquake and tsunami, professional engineer Marc Percher is witnessing the devastation to infrastructure firsthand as a member of an ASCE team, and is sharing his observations in a blog he's regularly updating from the scene. Read his fascinating entries, share your reactions and pose questions to Percher in the blog's comments. Learn more here.;

Since 1970, J.P. Giroud, Ph.D., has worked at the forefront of the geosynthetics field (including coining the terms "geotextile" and "geomembrane", which paved the way for the 'geo-terminology') and earned many accolades for his pioneering work. His many awards and key industry positions include serving as president of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), being honored with the establishment of an IGS "Giroud Lecture", being granted 'hero' status by the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), being selected to deliver prestigious lectures (e.g. ASCE Terzaghi Lecture, Vienna Terzaghi Lecture, and Mercer Lecture), and being elected Member of the US National Academy of Engineering. This year, on April 2, Dr. Giroud was named a member of the Order of the Legion d'Honneur by a decree signed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Established in 1802, the Order is the highest decoration in France. Dr. Giroud has US/French dual citizenship. Read more.

In April 2009, the State of Arkansas experienced severe storms and flooding, affecting 37 counties and causing damage to infrastructures. This resulted in the 16 June 2009, presidential disaster declaration, DR-184, for Public Assistance. In Lafayette County alone, four roads were washed out, necessitating repairs and mitigation. A specialist recommended using a geotextile to stabilize the embankment and make the road more resilient once repairs were completed. Read more.

The newest study from Ceresana Research covers the plastic, expanded polystyrene (EPS). Due to its technical characteristics, such as its light weight, rigidity and excellent formability, this material can be found in a wide range of applications: insulation against heat, sound, and cold, as well as in the packaging industry, and in leisure and sporting goods. The construction industry is the largest EPS market, with a worldwide share of just less than 60%. This sector‘s importance will continue increasing in the future. Manufacturing of products for the construction industry will most likely account for 66% of EPS demand in 2016. Learn more here.;

Over the past few years, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has spearheaded a new sustainability vision for the public works management field. Two key investments have been made and show great promise for the future: APWA launched a smaller, sustainability-focused conference three years ago; and, this year, it has officially launched the APWA Center for Sustainability. These issues are pretty all-encompassing, and since the initial discussions within APWA creating the APWA Center for Sustainability have become hot button points across the country. For example, low-impact development (LID), sustainability's return on investment, best management practices, and much more. The public works field needed some pro-active guidance and resources. APWA has taken that lead.

Ralph Bruno hosts a profile video segment on Propex in the business section of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Watch it online today. Learn more here.;

After the 2006 purchase of SI's geosynthetics and concrete products business, Propex had to assume a great deal of debt. The sudden collapse of the global economy threatened the company's survival, then. In the wake of debt restructuring and with new ownership, the company has significantly improved manufacturing efficiency and is growing again. Read more about the company in a profile article in the business section of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Learn more here.;

The India-based Business Coordination House (BCH), which is involved in, among other things, the promotion of geotextile and other geosynthetic seminars and companies in India, has released its April-June 2010 newsletter. This issue of TechTex India includes an article on the impact of textile production and use on climate change (page 5), an interview about artificial turf markets (page 20) and uses for TenCate's fiber optic-enhanced GeoDetect system (page 40). Read the issue in PDF. Learn more here.;

The next short course from the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) will be held 14 May 2010 at the University of Florida's TREEO Center in Orlando. The FGI held its first short course on "Constructing with Fabricated Geomembranes" in October 2009 in Denver. That event was well-received and -attended and featured speakers from across the industry. Participants of this next edition of "Constructing with Fabricated Geomembranes" will be eligible to receive up to 8 CEUs. Learn more.

In Northern Ontario, a 150-square-kilometre section of the James Bay Lowlands is referred to as the "Ring of Fire." It's a mineral-rich area known for high-grade deposits of gold, copper, nickel, zinc, chromite and palladium. But accessing the area and transporting heavy mining loads from it is complicated by super-saturated soils which some engineers compare to the soils in Florida's Everglades. Geosynthetic support systems, such as geotextiles (which are used in road-building over soft soils like peat). Engineers are evaluating numerous approaches now. Learn more here.;

Allen Gant, Jr., president and CEO of Glen Raven Inc., has said his company is dedicating significant resources to research and development. It's all part of going after what he's called the 'final frontier": innovation. Glen Raven is particularly interested in geotextiles. A forthcoming focus for the company will be in transportation markets, such as for the stabilization of soft and swampy land in road building. Learn more here.;

Attend this webinar--ELG's and the Construction Industry: What does this new rule mean to my project?-- to gain a comprehensive understanding of how this new rule will affect your construction sites, and begin planning to implement the practices that will most directly benefit your bottom line. New rules can often be cumbersome, but ignoring them will not yield more money to your bottom line. Become smarter, gain knowledge, and make a plan for implementation of appropriate practices before your competition does!

The 2010 LatAm Mining Congress will take place 27-30 April 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida. The event unites senior executives from Latin America's small, mid-cap and super-major mining houses with leading analysts, consultants, economists, financiers, investors and country regulators. Terrapinn, the conference organizer, has released its latest e-newsletter with conference updates on speakers, sessions and events. Read more.

AMI is pleased to invite you to consider speaking or attending the 4th international conference on Waterproof Membranes to be held from 30 November to 2 December 2010 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. There is a welcome reception and registration on the first evening followed by a two-day technical program. AMI's Sally Humphreys invites presentations through 28 May 2010.

To support a new sustainability vision in public works management, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has recently created the new APWA Center for Sustainability. The Center was designed to enable APWA to become the driving force for sustainability in public works, and to support the development of the next generation of public works leaders with strong sustainability credentials and commitment. In the 21st century, the public works professional must think beyond the current generation, work closely with a more engaged and better informed public, and take an integrated systems approach to addressing livability and community issues.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International's (IFAI) annual International Achievement Awards (IAA) competition is accepting submissions through 15 July 2010. Among the many entry categories you'll find "Geosynthetics." This year the competition is holding a drawing to award a free full registration to the 2010 IFAI Expo Americas (27-29 October 2010, Orlando, Florida), where IAA winners will be announced. Geosynthetica encourages you to look into this event and share your projects and experience with the larger technical textiles field. Visit the competition website to learn more about the awards and the benefits of the new electronic submission form. Learn more here.;

CETCO will sponsor the next GCL University on 30 April 2010 at the company headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois (near Chicago). Highlights include a keynote address from Dr. Robert Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), Dr. Patrick Fox on "Shear Strength and Slope Stability," and Waste Management's Bill Schubert on the "Anniversary of the first GCL use." Additional sessions in the day-long course will address hydraulic properties, chemical compatibility, test methods and GCL installation. Visit the registration page and reserve your space today. Learn more here.;

East Coast Erosion Blankets LLC, Bernville, Pa., is proud to announce the hiring of John Ravert, a technical expert in the erosion and sediment control field. John brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Director of Technical Services. He is a CPESC and NICET-certified Erosion and Sediment Control engineering technician and can be reached at +1 610 488 8496, email jravert@eastcoasterosion.com.

The March 2010 Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) newsletter is available. The current issue includes a roundup of the Institute's many activities and research projects (such as Grace Hsuan's ongoing stress-cracking studies on geomembranes and geopipes), generic specification updates, a report on GRI-24, short course and special meetings notes, a list of the 75 GAI-LAP accredited laboratories, and much, much more. Download a PDF copy today. Learn more here.;

Propex Operating Company, LLC is proud to announce that Dan Large, senior account manager for the Concrete Solutions business unit of Propex, has been named Wisconsin Ready Mix Concrete Association (WRMCA) Man of the Year. The WRMCA honored Large with the award because of his dedication to the organization as a loyal and long-term member, his 15-year service as the organization's technical committee chairman, and the tireless work he's done on behalf of the organization as a five-term member of the Board of Directors.

The 3rd Geosynthetics Middle East (9-10 November 2010) will be held at Le Meridien Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Reda Ashkar, BMC Gulf, will serve as conference chairman. A call for presentations has been issued and abstracts are due to the conference manager, Irina Bender of SKZ by 15 April 2010. Read more about the event and the topics sought.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for submittals for Environmental Connection 2011 (EC11), annual conference and expo of IECA. Combining quality education with a world-class expo, EC11 is the premier gathering place for the erosion and sediment control community, drawing attendees from over 20 countries and 150 exhibitors to Orlando, Florida, 20-23 February 2011. Deadline to submit an abstract is 20 May 2010. Learn more.

In Carl Junction, Missouri, contractor Larry Snyder and Co. encountered an uncharacteristic and protracted spell of bad weather in what had been a fairly direct construction project. After 56 days of construction were disrupted by snow, rain or excessive mud, the city council extending the contract timeline (to avoid fines being assessed to the company). The company has now requested money for geogrids to conduct some parking lot construction. Geogrids, the company believes, are the only approach it can use in these less than ideal weather conditions and to get the project done more quickly without sacrificing quality and safety. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) members were in Washington, D.C., 1-3 March 2010 for the association's semiannual Lobby Days. GMA has consistent representation in Washington through our contracted firms, Kemp Partners/Whitmer & Worrall. But to reinforce GMA's message on Capitol Hill, twice a year GMA-member companies send representatives to meet with Members of Congress as both constituents and members of our trade association. Read more in the summary report from GMA managing director Andrew Aho.

A team of University of Delaware engineering students has taken top honors in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Challenge Student Competition on Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall Construction. Held at GeoFlorida 2010 on February 23, the competition required teams of students to design and construct a scaled-down model of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall in which dry sand reinforced with paper is retained behind a paper wall that has been constructed in a plywood form. Read more from Diane Kukich.